By Shazad

So what did you think of 2020? How did you get through it and what did you learn? Don’t just make 2021 a year of surviving another year or enduring some hard things. Make this a year of advancing in a meaningful way. You, me, everyone has been tested in many ways in 2020 and the many previous years of our lives. Let’s make sure these big and small tests keep moving us forward.

Each year of my life, especially the 5 and 10-year milestones is where I think deeply of how much I have, or should have ‘leveled up’ in life. If you think of this life as a game of many levels all the way up to 100 or beyond then each year you complete is actually one more level higher you have achieved. How? It’s all about the “experience points” and life skills you have acquired. As I approach “Level 50” in my life’s journey, I’ve been thinking of how I’ve improved in some things and where I need to hustle to make some meaningful gains in other areas. I don’t want to be stuck at Level 42 or 35 in some aspects. It’s very important to me to be moving higher in skill, practice, and understanding each year so that the birthdays are not just about blowing candles and inhaling copious amounts of cake. I need to feel that I’m improving my life by refining myself as an authentic person making the most of this Awesome Life!

Now it’s your turn. Evaluate your life today and consider what “Level” you are at compared to where you want to be. Age is just a single number. Levels of achievement are a better representation of how you can advance in life by gathering experience, memories, some assets and most importantly, wisdom!